SECURITY IMPACTS OF DESERTIFICATION IN EGYPT

Abstract

The Arab Republic of Egypt is situated in the northeastern corner of Africa, lying within the great Sahara desert. Egypt has a total area of one million square kilometers and can be divided into four ecological regions. Barren deserts represent more than 90% of the country's land area and comprise three ecological zones. The fourth region, the "Nile Valley" has a moderately developed ecological structure. Detrimental pressures on the environmental inputs are strongly reflected in the process of desertification. This, in turn, has social, economic and political consequences that affect the security. The Eastern part of Egypt consists of four governorates, including the Southern Sinai, which occupies 18% of Egypt's total area. This governorate lacks natural resources. The local communities are comprised mainly of poor Bedouin tribes. Poverty is compelling them to move frequently for animal grazing, making additional stress on the already weak environmental structure of the region. The frequent movement of Bedouin populations is accompanied in many cases with the spread of diseases and increased rates of crime. The Western part of Egypt Occupies 36% of Egypt's total area. It constitutes of one single governorate: "The New Valley". It significantly lacks natural resources including human resources except in oasis that are scattered throughout the region. Inland immigration to the Western Desert from the Nile Valley where the population stress is very high and poverty is widespread, represent a good "theoretical" solution to potential social and economic problems. Yet, as a result, new kinds of crimes are being introduced along the immigration pathways. This creates additional security problems in this relatively undisturbed area. The National Action Program to combat desertification (NAP) within the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) takes into consideration the above mentioned factors. In order to better deal with potential security problems, it includes two development projects that aim at decreasing inland immigration and enhance Bedouin settlement.